Tuesday, March 19, 2024
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Drowsy Driving Among Florida Motorists

Florida Auto insuranceMost drivers are cautious when it comes to drinking and driving and motorist are becoming more aware of the dangers of distracted driving.  Both of these occurrences have laws in place to preserve our safety on the roads. Unfortunately, when it comes to drowsy driving, although very common, there is no law and it can leave victims injured or deceased, this makes having quality auto insurance crucial.

According to AAA, one in three drivers have admitted to falling asleep behind the wheel at some point in their lives. The Florida Highway Patrol reported in 2011 there were 2,826 crashes, 2,393 injured and 21 people killed, in Florida because of drivers falling asleep at the wheel.

“Sleep fatigued driving often goes unreported as the cause of an accident. I believe the statistics are much higher,” said Dustyn Shroff, Vice President of GreatFlorida Insurance.

It can be difficult for drivers to gauge their fatigue and they mistakenly get behind the wheel. Drowsy driving is preventable if you recognize the signs of fatigue and get off the road.

Daydreaming, drifting from your lane, the inability to keep your eyes open or you head forward are warning signs you are too tired to drive. If rolling down the windows, blasting your music, and a Venti Starbucks latte does not help, pull over and take a rest at some of the numerous Florida rest areas, service plazas, truck comfort stations and welcome centers.

The following are some tips for preventing you from falling asleep at the wheel and endangering a life.

  • Schedule a break every hour or 100 miles on a long road trip.
  • Do not consume alcohol and avoid medication that cause drowsiness before getting behind the wheel.
  • Get quality sleep before taking a road trip
  • Take a trip with a friend so you can share driving responsibilities and they can help keep you awake.
  • Limit driving between midnight and 6am

Everyone is vulnerable to getting sleepy behind while driving including, parents of a newborn, a student returning from an all-night study session, and a family member attempting to drive through the night and get home. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reports the following groups are at the highest risk, based on evidence from crash reports and self-reports of sleep behavior and driving performance.

  • Young people, specifically males under 26 year of age
  • People who work long hours or shift workers
  • Commercial and long haul drivers, (15 percent of heavy truck accidents involve fatigue)
  • Those with undiagnosed or untreated sleep disorders, (this group is seven times more likely to fall asleep driving)
  • Business travelers who log many miles on the road or may have jet lag

Auto insurance is your protection against financial ruin should you cause an accident that results in property damage or injuries to other people. It can help cover repairs to your vehicle as well as related medical costs.

GreatFlorida Insurance offers competitive rates in Florida on car insurance. You can reach us anytime day or night, 365 days a year and you will deal directly with a local GreatFlorida agent. We can help you settle your claims quickly and fairly. Call 1-888-478-7801 or complete our online quote request form at www.greatflorida.com. A local GreatFlorida auto insurance agent will help find the best deal for you.

Dustyn Shroff
Dustyn Shroffhttp://www.greatflorida.com
Vice President at GreatFlorida Insurance

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